prevent
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE

We prevent and address the impact of domestic violence by supporting both survivors and those who cause harm to break the cycle of violence.

According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner. In addition to the physical injuries, chronic stress caused by domestic violence is linked to higher rates of chronic illness like heart disease or diabetes. Survivors are three times as likely to have a mental health condition. Children who witness domestic violence also experience significant impact to their physical and mental health.

Our Work With Between Friends

Between Friends is a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. Through comprehensive crisis intervention services like counseling, court advocacy and school-based violence prevention programs, Between Friends provides a safe, violence-free, supportive, trauma-informed environment for people in crisis and empowers them to make their own healthy choices. 

They are an essential resource to Chicagoland residents like Diana.

After spending several years raising her four children, Diana Rodriguez finally felt ready to take the next step. She asked her husband if she could go back to college or take a single class to learn about computers. 

Her husband accused her of wanting to meet somebody else. That’s when Diana made the call to Between Friends. 

“To be able to decide for myself what I’m going to do today – I can’t tell you what it means to me. 

When you’re under the thumb of an abuser, you tend to lose yourself. You just give up. 

Recuperating is a very complex process. Changing old patterns takes time, but I know I’ll get there.

I’m 54 years old now. I have four grown children who have their own children. And before last year, I had never lived on my own in my life. Just to be able to decide for myself what I’m going to do today. I can’t tell you what it means to me.”

Diana RodriguezChicagoland Resident

Our Work in Domestic Violence

Connecting to Safety and Stability:
Domestic Violence Needs Assessment of Chicago

Meeting the Needs of Survivors:
Reimagining Domestic Violence Services in Illinois

STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL THE WAYS WE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE
ALL CHICAGOANS CAN LIVE HEALTHY LIVES